Red Deer search warrants turn up fentanyl and firearms

Red Deer… A pair of search warrants in the Red Deer area netted ALERT investigators nine firearms and more than two kilograms of suspected fentanyl powder. The street value of the fentanyl is estimated at $375,000.

ALERT Red Deer’s organized crime and gang team made the seizures on June 3, 2022 after searching a north Red Deer apartment and a Red Deer County hotel room. Red Deer RCMP and RCMP Emergency Response Team provided assistance with the search warrant executions.

Nine firearms were seized, five of which were loaded, along with a host of other weapons and imitation firearms. Seven of the firearms are classified as prohibited and one had its serial number defaced. The firearms are being submitted for forensic analysis and ballistics testing.

“The combination of fentanyl and firearms is an equation for all sorts of community harms. ALERT is working diligently to take these harmful substances off the streets and take guns out of the hands of drug dealers.”

Staff Sgt. Jason Gibson, ALERT Regional teams

In total, ALERT seized:

• 9 firearms;
• 2,170 grams of suspected fentanyl;
• 104 grams of methamphetamine; and
• $5,725 cash.

Two suspects were arrested and a third person sustained injuries while attempting to evade arrest. She was treated by paramedics and later transported to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Jay Dee Coffman, 38, and Kyle McGray, 33, have been charged with 17 criminal offences relating to drugs and weapons.

Additional charges are expected pending further investigation into the firearms.

Both are known to police and ALERT began investigating their suspected drug trafficking activities in May 2022.

Members of the public who suspect drug or gang activity in their community can call local police, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers is always anonymous.

ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime.